Selangor to start water rationing tomorrow, says MB

February 24, 2014

Jusli Bin Ibrahim, 56, a villager from Kampung Sungai Katali fills containers with water from a hill source to meet his daily needs. Water reserves at the Sungai Selangor dam was at 53 per cent while the reserve at Klang Gates was at 56 per cent.— Picture by Mohd Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — Amid dwindling water reserves, Selangor will begin rationing supply in parts of the state from tomorrow, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced today.

According to media reports, homes in the state will alternate between two days with supply and two days of dry taps.

“I have discussed about the role that must be done by local authorities in tackling the water problems in Selangor,” Abdul Khalid tweeted in Malay on his account @Khalid_Ibrahim here.

“The state government will implement water scheduling starting tomorrow, focusing on problematic areas.”

Abdul Khalid was quoted by English daily The Star as saying that static tanks and water tankers from water concessionaire Syabas will be sent to affected areas.

He also named Bukit Tampoi, Dengkil and Batu 11, Cheras as among the affected areas, with the full list of the areas involved in the exercise to be released in a statement later today.

The hot spell starting from January caused ammonia levels in raw water sources to rise, causing Syabas to shut down its plants in Batu 11 and Bukit Tampoi.

Both water treatment plants have remained closed since January 28, according to the Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid last week.

Several places in Selangor, including Balakong, Cheras and Pandan have gone without water for the past week.

Syabas had also confirmed last week that water reserves at the Sungai Selangor dam was at 53 per cent while the reserve at Klang Gates was at 56 per cent.

Mahdzir had also announced that cloud seeding exercise will be carried out in water catchment areas soon to prevent a water crisis in the Klang Valley.

Malaysia has experienced a hot spell since early January, with some areas charting temperatures close to 40°C.

However, the Meteorological Department has explained that the hot weather is common during January and February, and does not qualify as drought.

Haze and water shortages in parts of Klang Valley have also exacerbated the condition.